Just under a month ago, Scott O’Neil, CEO of LIV Golf, made a bold assertion: if you’re searching for the world’s finest golfers, you should look nowhere but LIV. This proclamation, to put it mildly, did not go down well. Fans were quick to question O’Neil’s self-awareness, and even now, chatter surrounding his statement continues, despite the ongoing discussion of a possible merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.
In a recent exclusive interview with Golfweek, the PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, was asked to weigh in on O’Neil’s remark. His response was swift and unambiguous. Monahan highlighted several golfers and asserted that the PGA Tour is surging forward, regardless of LIV Golf’s actions or claims.
Monahan proudly stated, “If you look at players like Ludvig Aberg, Luke Clanton, Gordon Sargent, and Jackson Koivun, and those on the Korn Ferry Tour vying for one of those 20 cards, this is the pinnacle of the game. This is where players have always aspired to play. I can only speak to what we’re doing, and there’s tangible momentum behind this Tour.”
The PGA Tour Commissioner’s pride in the tour’s achievements is undeniable. The PGA Tour is famed for the advantages it confers on its players, including its celebrated status as the highest-level tour graced by the world’s leading golfers such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler. It boasts a more extensive global reach than LIV Golf, hosts major championships, and offers enticing perks like sponsors for the golfers and free tickets for their families.
The PGA Tour is continuously enhancing its offering. In a recent development, the top 10 players in the final PGA Tour Uni Ranking will now be granted exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership for the remainder of the season. This change, up from the previous top five, promises increased exposure and lucrative prizes.
Monahan’s confidence in the PGA Tour’s future is hard to dispute when considering the players he highlighted. Ludvig Aberg, aged 25, ranks fourth in the OWGR and is tied for 15th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Luke Clanton, 21 years old, holds the 92nd rank in the OWGR and recently secured his PGA Tour card after finishing tied for 18th at the Cognizant Classic.
Gordon Sargent, another 21-year-old, reached the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking in 2023. He earned his PGA Tour card but opted to remain with the Vanderbilt Commodores. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Jackson Koivun is currently competing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, tied for 15th place.
On the other hand, the highest-ranked players in OWGR from LIV Golf are Tyrrell Hatton (9) and Bryson DeChambeau (11), the only LIV players in the top 50. However, there’s more to the story.
LIV Golf indeed boasts a collection of strong players, including Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Joaquin Niemann, who are all major champions. But, it’s worth noting that much of their legacy was established outside LIV Golf. DeChambeau, for instance, became a polarizing figure in golf due to his YouTube channel, social media presence, and his U.S. Open victory in 2024. Moreover, since LIV Golf’s inception, PGA Tour players have claimed more victories in the majors (8-2). Data Golf rankings show just five LIV Golf players in the top 50.
Financially, LIV Golf has been struggling, incurring a loss of nearly $400 million in 2023 despite a massive $4 billion investment from the Saudi PIF, which could potentially reach $5 billion by year’s end. The league’s operational costs are also significant, with per-tour expenses reaching $10 million in 2022. However, LIV Golf Adelaide has been a shining success, contributing 45% of the league’s total international revenue in 2023.
Despite the financial rollercoaster, the Saudi-backed league has made strides. It secured a broadcast deal with FOX Sports, and many of its individual teams have been successful in finding sponsors. The crucial question, however, is whether the league’s star players will renew their contracts as they approach expiration. This will ultimately determine the league’s future.
Bryson DeChambeau, LIV Golf’s brightest star, remains optimistic, declaring, “we aren’t going anywhere.” If the proposed merger proceeds, the rivalry between LIV Golf and PGA Tour players is likely to intensify, and the big question remains: who will claim the most triumphs?